The Yurok Tribe hosts Rios to Rivers Cultural Exchange

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KLAMATH, Ca (KIEM) -Youth from the Klamath Basin have a cultural exchange with students from other parts of the world. It’s through a program called Rios to Rivers. The Yurok Tribe organized the event at the Requa Boat Ramp.

The Yurok Tribe singing cultural songs as they welcome other tribes from all over the world. All of the students from different backgrounds have one thing in common: the river they live near is their way of life.

“It was pretty inspiring. Learning how involved they are with their river, and seeing how they can get involved in our river,” said Mer-Mery Bates, 14-year-old Yurok Tribal member.

The Yurok Tribal members shared their traditions of how they treat the Klamath River. It gave some of the other students a different outlook.

“Being here to know all the people from the Yurok Tribe, was really grateful for me because they [showed] me ways how to fight for my river,” said Nicole Cuqui, from Bolivia.

Students from Chile, Bolivia, and other parts of the United States kayaked from the headwaters of Klamath down to the mouth of the river. For Nicole, it was her first time on a kayak.

“The first time was a little scary because I didn’t have the balance. But then I got used to it, and it was good,” said Cuqui.

Once all of the students arrived at shore, they shared their stories of how important it is to keep a healthy river.

“We should live with water in the conditions where there are fresh fish, and the river is healthy,” said Dale Ann Frye Sherman, an Organizer.

After this Rios to Rivers experience, Nicole is ready to go back home to Bolivia and fight for her river. 

“I won’t give up, and I will fight until my last breath,” said Cuqui.

For more information on programs, Rios to Rivers offers head over to their website Riostorivers.org.